ãLady Cyreneâs older brotherâ¦? Well, I guess there are parts similar to hers, like his atmosphere or his kindness, right Glis?ã ãYouâre rightâ¦â¦ã
Inglis would agree if that was all, butââ While it was fine for Cyrene and Rafinha to be close, Theodore was a direct no-go no matter how much his atmosphere resembled Cyreneâs. The intent behind their closeness could very well change over time. A lover and the like was still not needed for Rafinha. Even if it was based on Inglisâ own ego, it was still a detestable thought.
Regardless of Inglisâ own intention, Rafinha gifted Theodore with a smile. Knowing that he was Cyreneâs older brother, her wariness went down a level. Things were progressing in a bad direction.
ãThank you very much for saving the life of my sister, you two. I heard that she was transformed into a Magic Stone Beast, but where is she nowâ¦?ã ãShe is here.ã
Said Inglis as she pointed to her own chest. At that very timing, Rene popped her head out of the cleavage.
ãCyreneâ¦!? Aah, while itâs faint, I really can feel her mana⦠My goodness, look how much you changedââã ãForgive us, saving her in that condition was all we couldââã ãNo, donât blame yourself. The two of you did great. As long as she is alive, nothing is over yet. I will surely change her back to how she was beforeâ¦!ã ãPlease let us help as much as we can!ã ãYes, I will rely on you two. Can I take over keeping Cyrene from this point?ã ãSure.ã
If a blood relative asked for it, how could they refuse? Inglis scooped Rene up from her chest and handed her to Theodore.
ãNow, Cyrene. Itâs alright now. I will do something about youââã
And, as Theodore reached out to Reneââ
Chomp!
Rene bit into Theodoreâs finger.
ãOuchâ¦!? Whatâs wrong, Cyrene?ã
Rene coldly ignored Theodore and dove back into Inglisâ chest.
ãRene? Your brother is here for you, you know?ã ãWhatâs wrong?ã
Rene shook her head left and right and dug even deeper until she was completely hidden inside the gown. As she kept moving around restlessly, it tickled Inglis.
ãHo-, hold on, Rene! Donât move around too much, itâs ticklishâ¦!ã ã⦠Does that mean she doesnât want to go home?ã
Rafinha craned her neck. For a good while after that, Special Envoy Theodore kept calling out Reneâs name while Inglis and Rafinha encouraged Rene to come out, but she was completely impartial.
ãShe seems different from the Cyrene I know⦠Perhaps itâs a good idea to entrust her to the two of you for a little longer.ã
The new envoy seemed quite disheartened. His affection for his little sister was apparent.
ãGot it. We have no problem with that.ã ãHowever, there are still mountains of things I need to research. Would you be willing to bring Cyrene to me when I need her?ã ãNaturally.ã ãThank you. Now, while I am concerned about Cyrene, I need to treat Miss Ripple âforemost. We have to find a method to stop the phenomenon. Miliera, I need your help in this.ã
Theodore called Principal Miliera. They were close because they were old friends; it seemed. The principal mentioned it herself.
ãYes, of course Iâll help.ã ãPlease. If itâs you who studied our technology on the Highland, then Iâm sure you can be of help.ã ãIâll do my best to live up to that expectation of yours!ã ãBut, what do you do, Theodore? If Magic Stone Beasts keep pouring out like before, you wonât be able to examine her calmly.ã ãThatâs true. So first, we need to bring her somewhere far. We canât have the Royal Castle be under constant attacks.ã ãThen, let me carry Ripple. I can take down those Magic Stone Beasts in a heartbeat. Still, where do we take her?ã
No one could answer Erisâ question immediately.
ãAh, donât mind itââIâll walk by my own.ã
Then Rippleâs voice was heard. When they looked at her, her eyes were open. The semi-sphere of black light that enveloped her seemed to have vanished.
ãRipple! Aah, thank goodness. Are you alright?ã
Eris rushed over and helped Ripple up. There was nothing unusual with her. It was as if everything that happened before was nothing but an illusion.
ã⦠For now. It felt like the energy is dissipatingâBut still, I can vaguely remember what just happened. Iâm sorry, everyone. I became a Hyrule Menace to protect everyone on Midland, and yet here I am hurting everyoneâ¦â¦ã
This incident was quite a heavy blow for Ripple herself.
ãDonât blame yourself, it wasnât your fault.ã ãThatâs right! Itâs not like you did it because you wanted to, Miss Ripple!ã ãRafinha is right, you did nothing wrong, Miss Ripple.ã ãIt was âforced upon you, after all.ã
Following Eris, Rafinha, Leone, and Inglis also comforted Ripple.
ãThank you, everyone. Even so, I just canât accept it. Now Iâve lost the very reason âI became a Hyrule Menace. Hey, Wayne, just where should I go? If there really isnât anything that can be done, I donât mind if you break me, or you can dump me in some remote place with no one in sight.ã ãNonsense. We canât possibly treat the Guardian Deity who has protected our Kingdom like that. Just endure it for a while. Until then, ârest in a place with tight and vigilant security.ã
That being said, they still needed to discuss further regarding where exactly that place would be and the forces to be deployed for it.
ãI will select the place and divide my troops.ã ãSure, Raphael. Please do.ã
If thatâs how things are, thought Inglis as she stepped forward.
ãExcuse me, but I have a proposal in mind. May I?ã ãYou may. Pray tell.ã ãWhat is it, Glis?ãn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Nodded Prince Wayne and Raphael.
ãWhy donât we have Miss Ripple to be stationed in the Knight Academy until the solution to her condition is found?ã
Inglisâ eyes sparkled in excitement. After all, it would be an excellent way to train if she were to fight against the Magic Stone Beasts that could potentially appearâ.